Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (32 page)

“Lord, you do have a terrible way of laying down a compliment.  How did you ever convince Elizabeth to marry you?”

“I kissed her.”  Darcy winked. 

“There is something supremely admirable about that approach.”  Richard grinned.  “However I fear that Miss Kelly would strike my face.”

“And heaven knows you cannot bear to have it disfigured any further than nature has done on its own . . .”

“You realize that you have a scar running down your cheek.”

“Elizabeth kisses it tenderly.” 

He threw up his hands.  “I cannot win.” 

“Of course you can.  You do not need me, you clearly were able to attract and hold Miss Kelly’s attention well enough the few times that you were together.  So much so that she was still talking about your eyes when she has only seen them in her memories for a month.”  Darcy spoke softly and Richard looked at his hands.  “The trick for you is to try and be that man she thinks she remembers.” 

“I truly am doomed, then.”

“No you are not.  If you feel for her what you display before me, it will be clear to one who is looking for it.”  He smiled when Richard’s cheeks coloured.  “What do you think Miss Kelly will see when you look at her?”

“What do you see?”

“I love you as my brother, Richard, but I am not in love with you.”  Darcy grinned.  “I will put that question to the woman I trust with my heart.” 

Richard started chuckling.  “I am afraid of what she might say.  She seemed rather perturbed with me this morning.”

The sound of a carriage crunching down the drive brought both men to the window.  “Ah, there you go.”  Darcy clapped Richard’s shoulder.  “Let us see . . . Mrs. Kelly and Miss Kelly . . .”  He watched Richard’s gaze sharpen and smiled.  He was entirely focussed on Sophie.  “As it is the ladies alone, I think that we should leave Elizabeth to her visitors.”  Richard turned to stare.  “For a little while, and then you may make your grand entrance and . . . turn on that Fitzwilliam charm.”

“Oh yes, it is sung about around campfires, is it not?” 

“I was thinking of taverns, but a fine fire will do as well.”  Nodding to a chair, Darcy returned to his seat.  “Now, what do you plan to do?”

“WE WERE SO SORRY to hear of your loss, Mrs. Darcy.”   Mrs. Kelly sat down.  She tried not to be obvious, but could not help herself, examining Elizabeth’s lavender gown. “Reverend Campbell was kind enough to tell us of his visit.  We were hesitant to come and disturb your mourning, but you know so few people in the neighbourhood that we knew if anyone was to call, it should be us.” 

“I appreciate your kindness, Mrs. Kelly.  My father was ill for an extended time and I feel that I have already mourned him for months.  Once I came to terms with his passing, I chose to feel relieved for him.”  Elizabeth met Mrs. Kelly’s gaze unflinchingly.

Sophie gave her mother a pointed nudge to stop staring, “Will your mother come to live with you?” 

Elizabeth could imagine her husband expressing his decided opinion of that idea very clearly and managed to control the snort of laughter that begged to be freed.  Instead, she dug her nails into her palm and smiled pleasantly, “My mother will remain at home.  My sister Mary married the heir to the estate.   What I anticipate now are the letters of complaint as my mother is moved from her position of mistress to that of . . . well, my husband wisely gave her the title of advisor.”

“Somehow I wonder if your sister will think of it that way.”  Sophie smiled.

“Unfortunately, I have to agree with you.  So much of this seems unreal.  In some ways I am saddened not to be at home at this difficult time, but in more ways I am relieved to be away. Does that sound uncharitable?”

Mrs. Kelly looked at her thoughtfully.  “It depends on your family.  I married Mr. Kelly and moved far away from my home, so like you; I was absent when my parents passed.  It was sad not to say goodbye, but I think that what I missed the most was the gathering of family all in one place.  As you marry, those times come few and far between.”

“Could you not go home to visit?”  Sophie asked her mother.

“I was very heavy with child each time.”  Mrs. Kelly smiled, “You for Papa, Stephen for Mama.” 

“I wish I had met them.  Your stories of them are wonderful.” 

“Well, you did meet Mama, but you were a tiny thing.  And now look at you, my baby girl is all grown.”  Mrs. Kelly dabbed at her eyes.  “Someday, I pray that I will see your babies.” 

“Oh, Mama.”  Sophie sighed.

“My mother has not begun harping on that subject quite yet, but I am certain that it will appear in a letter soon.  I must give Mr. Darcy his heir.”  She sighed and then smiled.  “I can hear her voice now.  ‘Stop dallying, Lizzy!  Take your nose out of your books and pay attention to your husband!”

Sophie’s eyes widened and Mrs. Kelly’s hand went to her mouth as she laughed.  “Mrs. Darcy!” 

“Clearly your mother had a different approach to encouraging grandchildren.” 

“I am afraid that we had success nearly nine months to the day after the wedding.”  Her cheeks pinked and she played with her skirt a little.  Sophie bit her lip and looked down as her mother cleared her throat.  “Of course, that might have been dumb luck.” 

“Speaking of dumb luck . . .” Elizabeth looked to Sophie.  “I heard from my cousin Fitzwilliam . . .”

“The colonel?”  She leaned forward eagerly.  “Is he well?  You mentioned that he was in Kent for his brother’s wedding, is he . . . I suppose that he is back in his . . . oh, I do not know where he would be?   He lives in a barracks at Hyde Park, I think . . .” 

“Well . . . no, he is not in London.”

“He has not been sent to war has he?”  Her hand went to chest.  “He promised . . .” 

“Please excuse me for a moment.” 

Sophie watched Elizabeth rise and go to the drawing room door, and out into the hallway.  “Oh Mama, I feel so stupid, I am sure that Mrs. Darcy left so that I could compose myself.”

“She did not look offended, dear.”  Mrs. Kelly patted her hand and looked anxiously at the door.  “I am sure that she must be consulting Mr. Darcy about the colonel’s location.”  They listened and could hear footsteps approaching, and an unmistakably male voice laughing along with Elizabeth.  Mother and daughter looked at each other and stood. 

Elizabeth poked her head in the door.  “Forgive me for my abrupt disappearance, but I just could not let our conversation continue without someone who possessed the best knowledge of our cousin joining us.”  Walking in, she was immediately followed by Darcy, and they both looked expectantly into the hallway.  The ladies followed their gazes.

Outside, Richard drew a breath and seeing Elizabeth’s encouraging smile and Darcy’s challenging stare, he stepped into the room.  If he had a hat, it would assuredly be twirling madly in his hand.  “Good morning, Mrs. Kelly, Miss Kelly.”  He bowed.

“Colonel!”  Sophie gasped.

“Miss Kelly.”  His face lit up and he straightened.  “I told you I would return.”

“What . . . what happened to you?”  She stared at his striped waistcoat, perfectly tied cravat, and cream-coloured breeches.  “Your coat is green!” 

“He is a little mouldy, perhaps.”  Darcy whispered in Elizabeth’s ear.  Her hand slipped into his and she squeezed tightly.

“Yes.”  Richard looked down and back up.  “I . . .” He sighed and looked to Darcy for help. 

Elizabeth looked to the ceiling and smiled. “I think that green looks very well with your eyes.”  Richard sighed and Sophie’s eyes widened when she blushed furiously.  Darcy’s hand crushed Elizabeth’s and she could feel his body stiffen as he valiantly controlled his laughter. 

Mrs. Kelly took in the scene and decided to referee the four children.  “You look very handsome, Colonel, we are simply surprised to see you without your uniform?”  She raised her brows expectantly. 

“Yes.”  Richard shot a look at his cousin’s amused face and drawing himself up, he faced Sophie.  “I have resigned my commission, Miss Kelly.  My brother’s marriage presented me with an opportunity to take over his estate.” Sophie watched him closely.  “I am a gentleman now.   Not a landowner, but . . . I have a home, I have an income, and . . . nobody will shoot at me again.”  He laughed.

“Do not discount anyone who comes to hunt at Gladney.”  Darcy smiled. 

“Then I will be sure never to invite you.”  Richard’s smile grew; his gaze was on Sophie as she took in what he said.  “Gladney is roughly ten miles from my Father’s estate, Matlock, and twenty from Pemberley.” 

“Oh.”  Sophie’s mouth opened and closed, and she could feel her heart pounding.  “Why did you choose to leave behind all that you accomplished as a soldier?”

Surprised, he tilted his head.  “Because a woman I admire told me that she would not mind living above a stable.”  All eyes but Darcy’s turned to Sophie.  “I thought that I could do better than that.” 

“You completely changed your life for . . . me?”  She drew a shaky breath.

“Well, no.”  Richard saw Darcy’s head shake.  “But . . . I would not have done it without you.” 

“Oh.”  Sophie’s hand went to her mouth and she laughed.  “I am glad that you added that bit at the end.” 

“Why?”

“Because, Mr. Fitzwilliam, you nearly ruined it!” 

“He is a work in progress, Miss Kelly.”  Elizabeth smiled.  “Mrs. Kelly, have you ever seen Sommerwald?  Shall we take a stroll through the house?”

Mrs. Kelly startled when Elizabeth took her arm.  “I . . . Mrs. Darcy, we cannot leave them alone . . . “

“Of course we can.  Five minutes.”  Elizabeth smiled at Darcy.  “Have you a working timepiece, sir?” 

“I believe that I do.”  He pulled his watch from his pocket and opened the lid.  “I will just be out here in the hallway.  Minding my business.”  Patting Richard’s shoulder he bowed his head to Sophie and followed the ladies out.

Richard puffed his cheeks and shook his head.  “I hope that I said something worthwhile in that.  Elizabeth took my hand and dragged me here; I was not at all prepared.”

“So you had to be forced to come?”  Sophie laughed and finding a handkerchief, dabbed at her eyes.  “That is not encouraging me.”

“Please, Miss Kelly.  I have felt better after days at battle than I do right now.”  He laughed.  “There, I did it again.  I thought that Darcy would kick me if I kept blathering as I was.”

“You may as well be prepared for it, my brothers will not spare you.”

“Brothers I can handle, it is the fair sex where I am lost.”  He took a deep breath and met her gaze.  “Well, you heard my piece.  You are still here and you seem somewhat pleased.”

“What are you asking me?”

“Would you accept a courtship with me?  My intentions are quite serious and honourable.”

“You do not know me, why take this step?”  

Richard smiled, and then laughed.  “Lord, it is wonderful to be taking on a woman who knows her mind!  Miss Kelly, if you were speaking wistfully of my eyes within earshot of your minister, I daresay you were as struck by me as I was with you.  So stop being so coy, and tell me your answer.”

“A woman is entitled to behave coyly with the man she . . .” Richard raised his brows.  “. . . considers.”  His smile grew.  “How many women have you taken on, as you say?” 

Hearing a cough in the hallway, he thought quickly.  “You are the first I have ever taken on.”

“You choose your words carefully, sir.”  She said softly. 

“I am a man of the world, Miss Kelly.”  He said just as quietly.  “But I would like to come home at last.” 

They could hear Mrs. Kelly’s voice over Elizabeth’s as they approached. Darcy coughed again.

“Well?”

“May I invite you to dinner with the Kelly family, sir?  I am certain that my father would like to meet you properly.” 

“And what shall I discuss with him?” 

“Mr. Fitzwilliam, do you truly think that you will set the agenda? I am the only daughter.  Be prepared for an inquisition.”

“Now
that
is familiar territory.”  He bowed over her hand.  “Thank you.” 

“Thank you.”  Mrs. Kelly entered just as he kissed her fingers, and clasping her hands together, pressed them to her breast.  Sophie blushed and smiled at her, then looked at Richard, who was now flanked by Darcy and Elizabeth.  “I think that the first question you will have to answer is an explanation to my younger brothers of where your sword went.” 

Grinning, Richard looked down at his boots and back up.  “Oh, I still have it.  I will just don it on special occasions.  But I will be glad to show it off to any who ask.”  Hearing Darcy’s sigh, his cheeks pinked a little.  Mentally kicking himself, he bowed again.  “I will gladly entertain any questions the Kelly men throw my way.  And the ladies as well.” 

Chapter 13

“H
ow do I look?”  Richard stopped fussing with the cufflinks he had borrowed when he caught his cousin’s amused smile in the mirror.  “All right, out with it.  If your lips twitch any more I will be forced to call you out.”

“That would effectively eliminate any chance of you learning my opinion.”  Straightening, from his comfortable location leaning against a wall, he stepped up and examined the quality of the coat’s fabric before letting go to reposition the cufflinks.  “I simply am amused watching you primp and preen.  It is an echo of behaviour I once followed.”

“Once?”  Richard snorted and turned back to the mirror.  “I will speak to Parker on that one.” 

“Before marriage it was a matter of trying to create and maintain an image, perhaps to instil some confidence.  Now it is simply a desire to please my wife.” 

“By primping and preening.”  Richard smiled at Darcy’s reflection and noticed his colour rising.  “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

“Then your future is doomed.” 

“That is what I fear.”  Richard rubbed his palm over his face.  “Am I on a fool’s errand?”

“No, not at all.  I like Miss Kelly.  I think that growing up with all of those brothers browbeating her will make her manage quite handily when your soldier’s arrogance takes the point, as it inevitably will.  But I sense something in her that I know exists in you.”